Head-to-head
BMW i5 vs Mercedes EQE
At $125,290 the Mercedes EQE undercuts the BMW i5 by $30,610 (20%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · Sedan
BMW i5
BMW's electric 5 Series sibling — sharing platform and body with the petrol 5er. The 581 km WLTP range puts it ahead of the Mercedes EQE; the AC charging at 22 kW is class-leading.
- From
- $155,900
- Range
- 581 km
- Battery
- 81.2 kWh
Option B · Sedan
Mercedes EQE
Mercedes-Benz's electric E-Class sibling — shares its EVA2 platform with the EQS. Generous 90.6 kWh battery yields 626 km WLTP range; cabin tech is among the most advanced in any production EV.
- From
- $125,290
- Range
- 626 km
- Battery
- 90.6 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage Mercedes EQE
The Mercedes EQE goes 45 km further on a charge (626 vs 581 km WLTP).
- 2
Power · advantage BMW i5
The BMW i5 puts down 70 kW more (250 vs 180 kW).
- 3
Price · advantage Mercedes EQE
The Mercedes EQE undercuts the BMW i5 by $30,610 (20%) on starting price.
- 4
Battery · advantage Mercedes EQE
The Mercedes EQE carries a 9.4 kWh larger battery (90.6 vs 81.2 kWh).
- 5
DC charging · advantage BMW i5
The BMW i5 accepts 35 kW more DC peak charging (205 vs 170 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the BMW i5 wins
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (6s vs 7.3s)
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (205 kW vs 170 kW)
Where the Mercedes EQE wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $30,610
- ▸ 45 km longer WLTP range
BMW i5
What we like
- ✓ Strong 581 km WLTP range
- ✓ 22 kW three-phase AC charging is class-leading
- ✓ Cabin shares 5 Series quality and refinement
What we don't
- ✕ Heavy kerb weight hurts handling vs ICE 5er
- ✕ Premium pricing climbs fast with options
- ✕ Boot is sedan-shaped (no hatch opening)
Mercedes EQE
What we like
- ✓ Long 626 km WLTP range
- ✓ Class-leading 10-year / 250,000 km battery warranty
- ✓ Highly resolved Mercedes cabin tech
What we don't
- ✕ DC charging peak (170 kW) trails 800V Korean rivals
- ✕ Polarising bulbous styling
- ✕ Heavy kerb weight blunts dynamics
Frequently asked: BMW i5 vs Mercedes EQE
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the BMW i5 or the Mercedes EQE?
- The Mercedes EQE is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $125,290 versus $155,900 for the BMW i5, a $30,610 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The Mercedes EQE has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 626 km, 45 km further than the BMW i5's 581 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The BMW i5 accepts a peak DC charging rate of 205 kW versus 170 kW for the Mercedes EQE. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The BMW i5 does 0–100 km/h in 6.0 seconds — 1.3 s quicker than the Mercedes EQE's 7.3 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the Mercedes EQE better value than the BMW i5?
- On paper the Mercedes EQE is $30,610 cheaper, but the BMW i5 edges ahead on most other measurable specs. Whether the saving justifies the gap depends on which features matter most to you, and how much weight you give to brand and dealer factors.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
BMW i5
if…
- ✓ you want quicker acceleration off the line
- ✓ you match the profile: premium sedan buyers
Choose the
Mercedes EQE
if…
- ✓ you want to save $30,610 on the sticker
- ✓ maximum range matters (45 km further per charge)
- ✓ you match the profile: premium sedan buyers
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.